On Monday of this week, I got word from
Phillyboxinghistory.com's editor John DiSanto he was going to
interview “King” Gabriel Rosado, 21-5 (13) so I joined him at he
Harrowgate Gym in North Philly. We watched Rosado sparring with
Philly’s Latif Mundy for 6 rounds. We interviewed Rosado and then his
trainer Billy Briscoe for the upcoming January 19th title bout at MSG in
New York for the WBA and IBO titles held by Gennady Golovkin, 24-0
(21). The WBO Feather and Super Featherweight title bouts will also
take place.

Rosado was the No. 1 contender for K9 Bundrage’s IBF light middleweight
title and moved up to No. 15 in the WBA rankings to challenge Golovkin
after having problems getting Bundrage into the ring.

KEN HISSNER: You have 12 days to go before fighting Golovkin for his title. How are things shaping up?

GABE ROSADO: I have been in the Philly Gym wars for years. I am nice and relaxed and looking forward to fighting “Triple G”.

KEN HISSNER: You were No. 1 contender in the IBF
light middleweight rankings and should have gotten a fight with K9
Bundrage. What happened that your promoter J Russell Peltz decided to
move you up to 160 for this fight?

GABE ROSADO: I beat K9 and I’m supposed to. I beat “Triple G” I will be a star! (Not saying the Showtime money would be much more)

KEN HISSNER: How is your weight this being your first fight at 160?

GABE ROSADO: I’m 170 and getting to 160 should be no
problem. Making 154 has been. I sold more than $9,000.00 worth of
tickets in less than 2 weeks. I could have had a 158 contract but I
declined it because I want no excuses. I don’t duck anybody.

KEN HISSNER: What did the Derek “Poo” Ennis fight
do for you? (last loss for the USBA title and has since won 7 straight, 5
by knockout winning the PA 154 and WBO inter-continental titles).

GABE ROSADO: I thought I won and thought I don’t want this to happen again.

KEN HISSNER: How do you feel about fighting Golovkin?

GABE ROSADO: I feel confidence about my defense and can switch
up if I want. He comes straight forward. I have to stay focused. I
am going to give him looks he’s never seen before.

GABE ROSADO: Thanks Ken. Are you coming to my press event
Saturday? (I said yes but it was cancelled Thursday to do the closeness
of the fight)

KEN HISSNER: How has training been going?

BILLY BRISCOE: Game plan is coming together. I want him to
peak at the right time. Talk is cheap. I’ve been training fighters
since I was 16 learning at the Blue Horizon through blood, sweat and
tears. Gabe has to dictate how the fight goes. Mr. Wes (Mouzon) died
of cancer 10 years ago and I asked him to stick around when I heard he
had cancer. He said “Billy, you are ready”.